Heart is a muscle that is about the size of your fist. It pumps blood around your body and beats approximately 70 times a minute. Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Diseases affecting the heart may be structural or functional. Anything that damages the heart, makes it less efficient, reduces its ability to fill and pump, or decreases the heart's supply of oxygen will disrupt the coordinated relationship between the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Angina affects about 1 in 50 people and, in the UK, there are an estimated 1.2 million people with the condition.
Sometimes it can be mild, and is mistaken for indigestion. Some people have a heart attack without experiencing pain. Cardiomyopathy literally means "heart muscle disease. It is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden cardiac death. Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease. The heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breath. It affects men more than women. A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries blocks completely. Heart failure can occur in people with coronary heart disease.
Heart Disease Treatment Tips
1. Many different medicines are used to treat coronary heart disease , Mostly aspirin and 'clot-busting' medication.
2. Blood clots in the coronary arteries are a major cause of heart attacks.
3. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are sometimes used to stop the blood clotting.
4. Beta blockers are often used to prevent angina, and treat high blood pressure.
5. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.
6. Anti-arrhythmic medicine is sometimes used to control the rhythm of the heart. important that the correct dosage is taken.
7. Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, strengthen and slow the heartbeat.
8. Laser surgery is a technique that creates channels in the heart to allow blood to flow more easily.
A lot of people have been bombarded with warnings and advice about the heart and how to prevent heart disease that they sometimes no longer listen. Or it is simply because the mere mention of the words such disease, coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, does not mean anything because you don't know what these conditions mean and how exactly they can be destructive to health. What's the difference anyway?
The terms for such diseases are in one way or another related because of the chain of effects they have on one another. Understanding the different heart disease definition and how they're mostly used can help you sort through the mess. Knowing more about the various types of definition and the destruction they do to your body will better incline you to take steps to prevent them. Here are some different types of the definition:
Atherosclerosis Heart Disease Definition Atherosclerosis is the major form of such illness and over one half of deaths in the US are a direct or indirect result of it. In Artherosclerosis, there is a buildup of fatty deposits on the inner wall of the coronary arteries called plaque which is a porridge-like gathering of cholesterol and their compounds within a fibrous coat and is very hazardous.
Coronary Heart Disease Definition It happens when some of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle become narrowed with fatty deposits called plaque which is composed of cholesterol and fats building up on the wall of the coronary arteries. Narrowed arteries results to the heart not fully supplied with the oxygen and other nutrients it needs, and if the artery becomes severely blocked, heart attack occurs.
Rheumatic Heart Disease Definition It involves the damage to the entire heart and membranes and is a result of a complication of rheumatic fever occurring after attacks of rheumatic fever.
Congenital Heart Disease Definition The defects are of the heart present at birth. In congenital heart condition, the problem is present shortly after birth that causes problems for newborns. Infants with severe acyanotic varieties of congenital hear disease may fail to succeed and may have breathing difficulties.
Myocarditis Heart Disease Definition Myocarditis is a degeneration or inflammation of the heart muscle that may be a complication during or after various bacterial, viral, or parasitic infectious diseases such as influenza, rubella, polio, or rheumatic fever. It is often caused by a range of diseases such as goiter, endocarditis, syphilis, or hypertension, however it may appear as a primary disease in adults or degenerative disease of old age.
Arrhythmia Heart Disease Definition Arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms of the heart that causes the heart to pump blood less efficiently. Most temporary and benign arrhythmias are those where the heart skips a beat or has an extra beat which are often caused by strong emotions or exercise. However some arrhythmias are life-threatening and require treatment.
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